By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Commercialisation, (CIPPaC,) at the University of Ibadan School of Business, Professor Oladapo Okareh, has admitted that there are adequate laws guiding Intellectual Property (IP) in Nigeria.
He said there is a need for the renewal of obsolete laws and stricter implementation of extant laws to punish violators of IP Rights.
Speaking on the occasion of the observance of the 2025 IP Day, he said that all government ministries, departments and agencies concerned with Intellectual Property should partner with institutions of higher learning across the country for mutual benefits and national development.
Professor Okareh maintained that there should not be any duplication of efforts, but rather, such offices should synergize for better efficiency.
He also advocated better funding and the creation of more awareness on the issues of Intellectual Property Rights.
He urged the government to support talented creators and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, especially local fabricators and students who contribute to arts.
The IP Rights expert encouraged the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through collaborations in the nation’s Ivory Towers.
The theme for this year’s observance is “Intellectual Property and Music: Feel the beat of IP.”
